Snowstorm parking wars: Saving spots with strange items

Following recent snowstorms blanketing parts of the country, a contentious debate is underway regarding the practice of saving publicly shoveled parking spots. Residents resort to using various objects, from statues to household furniture, to reserve spots they have cleared. Maureen Dahill from Boston shared instances of people using a life-sized cutout of Rob Gronkowski or a statue of the Blessed Mother.

While some municipalities have established regulations, others view "space savers" as a longstanding tradition. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott declared that any chairs used for saving spots would be discarded, as obstructing streets is prohibited. Chicago also deems this "dibs" process illegal, with its sanitation department receiving numerous complaints. Boston, however, permits space savers for up to 48 hours after a snow emergency.

Pittsburgh proudly upholds "parking chairs" as a "longtime tradition," with a local saying, "Respect the chair." This custom stems from a desire to avoid negative karma. Experts like Nicholas Christakis argue that norms enforced by threats, such as car damage, are not socially optimal. Jodi RR Smith, an etiquette consultant, emphasizes respecting the effort involved in clearing a spot and adhering to local customs to foster community goodwill.